Rev. David Ruffin with Rev. Patricia Hart, Judy Brook, Geoff Duke and friends!
Our annual multigenerational Solstice Service returns, live-streamed for the first time ever! Join us as we celebrate the dark as well as the sun's return. A limited number of youthful thespians will perform "The Rebirth of the Sun" from the Sanctuary. Followed by outdoor coffee (cider) hour, weather permitting.
We are continuing to invite a small number of (vaccinated, masked) people to attend worship in person on most Sundays. To sign up for this Sunday, go to: rsvp.church/r/eJ7rm65u.
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website,uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording of the service will be available on ourYouTubechannel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link:bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Solstice Is Here Again!
Erika Reif & Margo Whitcomb
We invite everyone to create an ice lantern or other luminaria (or two or three) to be part of the Solstice Light Festival on December 21, 5:30-7 p.m. We have left large cans for ice lanterns just outside the east entrance door (at the top of the ramp) for pick-up throughout the week, for those who need one. Instructions for lantern creation and drop-off here.
Solstice Light Festival
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Tuesday, December 21 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Come celebrate the longest night! Walk on a path of lights, circling the FUUSB grounds and leading to frozen gardens of light, and share in warm drinks and snacks. Caroling with James Stewart, Director of Music, will start out the festivities; live performances by the YUUth Group towards the end.
FUUSB Christmas Eve
Friday, December 24 - Join Us!
4:30-5:15 p.m. – Outdoor Pageant Service: Children and others who would like to be part of the pageant should arrive at 4:15 to get costumed. We’ll celebrate with an abbreviated version of our No-Rehearsal Pageant on the steps of the Meeting House and finish up with candles lit, singing Silent Night.
5:15-6 p.m. – Open Sanctuary & Outside Cookie Hour: When the pageant is over we will have a Cookie Hour outdoors; all are welcome to bring cookies or drinks to share. The Sanctuary will be open in all its holiday splendor. Organ and piano will take turns filling the space with music, while congregants are invited to step inside, warm up, and meditate on the season. Numbers will be limited, but there will be plenty of time for all to have their fill!
7 p.m. – Christmas Eve Live-Streamed Service: A traditional service of lessons and carols live-streamed from our Sanctuary. Due to the pandemic, we are still limiting the number of people in our Sanctuary at one time. Please go to rsvp.church/r/eJ7rm65u to register for a Christmas Eve Service lottery for a chance to attend in person. The livestream link will be shared on our website at uusociety.org. You can give to our special Christmas Eve Offering which is shared with: FUUSB Discretionary Fund and Joint Urban Ministry Project.
'Tis the Season for Giving
This is the time of year when many of you are considering your charitable contributions for the year. While many of you give regularly to FUUSB by fulfilling your annual pledge, there are also other ways to share your treasure through the Society.
Socially Responsible Santa - Gifts to this fund are distributed by amazing UU elves to members of our larger community in the form of cash gifts. This allows people the dignity of purchasing their own gifts for their families.
Discretionary Fund - Gifts to this fund help members of our congregation and greater Burlington community throughout the year with things such as utility bills, uncovered medical expenses, and other unexpected financial emergencies.
Share the Plate - Each month our Share the Plate collections are split between FUUSB and a local non-profit. In December our collections are going to our Socially Responsible Santa program.
Gift to FUUSB - One-time gifts can be made to FUUSB to help us fulfill our mission.
Beyond These Walls - Contributions are still being accepted to help defer the ongoing costs associated with live-streaming our worship services.
Angel Fund - We often have members who are unable to meet their pledge due to unforeseen circumstances. During the pandemic, this is happening even more often. The Angel Fund helps to replace that lost pledge income.
Gifts can be made by sending a check to the Meeting House with the fund you'd like to give to written in the memo line, donation of stock (please let Christina know if you've donated stock to FUUSB), or a charitable distribution from your retirement account (please contact your tax advisor for more information about this option). You may also make a contribution to FUUSB by clicking on this link: Donate Now!
If you have any questions, please contact Christina Fulton at [email protected]. Thank you!
FUUSB Holiday Cards Still Available!
To order, go to: gofundraise.link/FUUSBholidaysale2021 or email Hope Baker-Carr at [email protected]. Contact Hope to arrange delivery or pick-up. Cards come in packages of 8, one of each design, for $16. Includes works by member artists Rodney Lowe, Carol MacDonald, Sarah Rosedahl, Janet Biehl, and others. Also included are two select photos from FUUSB Christmas Eve services. Inside message: PEACE * JOY * LOVE.
Holiday Break for Open Sanctuary Hour
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
We hope you have had an opportunity to enjoy our Open Sanctuary Hour. We've heard from many of you how much you've enjoyed spending a few minutes in our beautiful Sanctuary. Our staff will be taking a holiday break and so the Open Sanctuary Hour will be on hiatus on December 23 and 30. We will continue with our weekly Open Sanctuary Hour beginning on Thursday, January 6 at 5 p.m.
FUUSB's Holiday Break
Please note that the Society offices will be closed from December 25-January 3, while the staff takes a long winter's nap!
There will be no eNews on December 30.
Best wishes for this holiday season and the new year!
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
We are seeking article submissions for the next Steeple newsletter! The deadline to submit articles is January 10, and the word limit is 400 words. If you would like to write about a FUUSB project or team for the upcoming issue, or have questions, please email [email protected]. For details on the Steeple, please visit uusociety.org/information/stay-connected. Thank you!